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About
Cairns-based Armstrong Maritime Services combines marine surveying with naval architecture, vessel design and stability assessment for commercial and recreational boats.
Service area: Cairns, Townsville, Whitsundays, Mackay, Gladstone and South East Queensland; elsewhere by arrangement
Armstrong Maritime Services offers commercial vessel surveys and recreational pre-purchase and insurance inspections. Its design work includes vessel design assessments, 3D modelling, stability documentation, incline tests and lightship checks.
Other services include condition and valuation reports, steel and aluminium hull-thickness testing, Australian Builders Plates, safety-management systems and new-build project support.
The practice is based in Bungalow, Cairns, and lists coverage across North and South Queensland, with other Australian locations by arrangement. Confirm the surveyor’s current accreditation scope when booking a regulated commercial survey.
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“Highly recommend Rod. He was prompt, thorough, and very professional. Rod explained everything clearly and made the whole process simple and stress-free. Highly recommend their services!”
“Very responsive. Very professional. Quick turn around from conducting the survey to receiving the survey. I would highly recommend!”
“"Armstrong Maritime Services has been — and will continue to be — our go-to Marine Surveyor. Operating ten high-speed ferries, a luxury outer reef pontoon, as well as a fleet of glass-bottom boats, semi-subs, and dive tenders, we rely on Rod’s extensive experience with Domestic Commercial Vessels (DCVs) to ensure full compliance and operational excellence. His expertise gives our publicly listed company, Experience Co Ltd, the confidence that we are always meeting the highest industry standards."”
“Extremely professional and responsive to our company requirements.”
“Rod has been our fleet surveyor for the past 6 years. He has a practical, solutions based approach to working with clients. He understands both the commercial realities of working on vessels and has an extensive knowledge of the regulations which allows us to have faith in Rod's recommendations for our vessels and our business. For professional and thorough marine surveying services, Rod Armstrong is a trusted choice in the Cairns region”
The Arnhem Land Coast (Northern Territory) is a large, remote Top End seascape of rugged sandstone headlands, wide tidal flats, mangrove-fringed estuaries and scattered islands. Distinctive for its strong cultural ownership by Aboriginal Traditional Owners, extensive marine country and seasonally dramatic tides and winds, it offers adventurous cruising and exploration rather than marina-based boating. Best suited to experienced coastal cruisers, well-equipped trailable or fly-in/boat-out excursions and small commercial charters who have organised the necessary access permits and local advice.
Tasmania has a mix of state marine parks, local harbour bylaws and environmental protections that affect where and how you anchor—so check the specific area’s rules before you go, aim to use designated anchorages or soft seabeds, and follow standard anchoring and biosecurity good practice.
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Pick a ramp that matches your boat size and trailer setup, has safe approach and exit conditions (depth, slope, surface), good onshore parking and flow, and follow simple ramp etiquette: queue, help others, rig off the trailer when clear, and secure your vessel quickly.
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Before your first sail in South Australian waters check the weather and tide, make sure the boat and safety equipment are fit for the trip, confirm local rules and any area-specific hazards, and tell someone your plan.
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Watch for shallow entrance bars, shifting sandbanks and channels, tidal streams that accelerate through narrow channels or around headlands, drying mudflats and sills that expose at low water, and localised eddies or overfalls — and always confirm conditions for the specific estuary before you enter.
Explore →Practical guide for recreational sailors planning passages, anchorages and visits to Ningaloo Reef and the Exmouth coast. Covers anchoring considerations, marine park rules and how local weather, tides and currents affect safety and enjoyment.
Explore →Practical guidance for recreational sailors in New South Wales on navigating marine parks, using moorings and anchoring responsibly. Covers how to plan passages, approach moorings, set and retrieve an anchor, minimise environmental impact and follow local rules.
Explore →A practical guide for recreational sailors planning trips in Jervis Bay. Covers typical weather patterns, sheltered anchorages, common hazards, marine park considerations, anchoring techniques and sensible trip planning for day sails and short cruises.
Explore →A practical guide for recreational sailors on using VHF marine radios safely and effectively in Australian waters: basic operation, channel use, emergency procedures, DSC basics, common mistakes and a ready checklist for pre-departure and on-water use.
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A 10‑year battery EPIRB with integrated GNSS (supports GPS and Galileo), infrared strobe and 121.5 MHz homing signal. Approved for worldwide COSPAS‑SARSAT operation.
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Self-contained, battery-powered plug‑and‑play autopilot designed for standard hydraulic steering systems.
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A three-membrane modular watermaker with 200 L/h nominal output and up to 240 L/h family-level marketing, for larger crews and heavy use.
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A one-membrane modular marine watermaker with 80 L/h nominal output, remote stainless control panel, standard consumables and direct Australian support.
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